Monday, March 31, 2014

RETURN TO BRANTON: Beautiful Broken by Nazarea Andrews Review



We're Returning to Branton! I'll be reviewing the first three books in Nazarea AndrewsUniversity of Branton series! On to the second book in the series, Beautiful Broken!


Genre:
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Series:
University of Branton, #2
Publish Date:
September 24, 2013
Publisher:
A&A Literary

Synopsis:
She's been broken by her past. He's been breaking for as long as he can remember.
Together, they can make each other whole--or destroy each other.

When his best friend asks for something, Dane rarely says no. But babysitting a newly sober Scout Grimes for three weeks isn't exactly a normal request. And with their history, it's a recipe for disaster. Not to mention, she's drop dead gorgeous and he can't touch her.

There are few people Scout trusts as much as Dane Guillot. He's always been her safe place, where nothing can hurt her. He's also been the only man she's never let herself want--screwing up their friendship isn't worth one amazing night together.

They have too much history, and too much personal baggage to ever work. But if they are willing to take a chance on love--it might be worth the risk.


 

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**About the Author**
Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolates and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

Stay connected with Nazarea Andrews
  

"The Infects" Street Team

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***My Thoughts***

Note: This review contains no spoilers

Beautiful Broken is a touching story of painful pasts, heartache, anger, escape and coming to terms with it. Nazarea Andrews wrote a compelling story of two people needing each other without realizing it until the truths come out and the masks come off. Of course, there's the hot and bothered intimate and sexy parts, too, but Nazarea wrote it so beautifully that it didn't feel dirty and cheap....well, between Dane and Scout...anyways.

Beautiful Broken is Dane and Scout's story. Both characters were first introduced in the first book This Love. However, this romance isn't like Atticus and Avery's story. Dane and Scout are both "broken" from their pasts. Before I even begin, I have got to warn you that this touches on some serious issues of drug abuse and sexual abuse that may be triggers for some. With that being said, I thought that Nazarea Andrews wrote a beautiful story about how these characters deal with their pasts. Again, like in This Love, secrets can either break you or make you stronger. Nazarea wrote with a lot of sensitivity and realism in regards to the issue of relationships, drug abuse, sexual abuse, rehab and therapy. There was compassion and empathy in Dane and Scout's story.

As for the characters, Dane and Scout are so alike, but, yet, complicated, that they don't see how similar they are. I love how they interact with each other. Dane understands too well about what Scout is going through, and he keeps her secrets. Balancing his friendship with Atticus and love (even though he doesn't want to admit it) for Scout, weighs heavily on his mind. These two wears masks to hide the truth of what they fear and hurt from, but together Dane and Scout broke down and they reveal what they have been hiding. In a short span of time since Scout is released from rehab, both their worlds collide and they come together realizing that Dane and Scout need each other. In the end, both face the truths of their pasts and work on coming back from it.

Dane and Scout's story touched my heart, brought tears to my eyes and made me laugh. Beautiful Broken is definitely an emotional whirlwind like Dane and Scout's relationship. Again, Nazarea Andrews wrote a realistic story dealing with complex and real issues.

My rating:

BLOG TOUR: Dragon's Don't Cry by D'Elen McClain


Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Dragons Don't Cry, first book in the Fire Chronicles, by D'Elen McClain.

Genre:
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series:
Fire Chronicles
Publish Date:
March 31, 2014
Publisher:
Bad Luck Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
One pint sized human female who's had too much to drink, not enough sleep, and absolutely no patience meets one stubborn dragon shifter with an attitude.

Bastian claims Acasia, his unwilling bride, after she spends the night carousing with friends. She's not happy, he's pissed off, and with a curse from a goddess thrown in, you'll see Bastian breathe fire.

Add secrets, treasure, and unimaginable heartbreak for an emotionally humorous read and discover why Dragons Don't Cry.


     

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*Excerpt*
She wasn’t like Bethanne. She didn’t cringe from me or cry. My new bride was fearless, or maybe crazy. I’d actually laughed when she threatened to puke on me again. She didn’t know it was a laugh, which I was grateful for. But nonetheless, I threw back my head, bellowing like a fool. I believe it’s been hundreds of years since a bride entertained me so much on the first day I’d claimed her.

This one was different, and if I didn’t guard my heart, it would break again. I couldn’t live through that pain. But, gods, I was lonely.

Acasia. I said the name in my mind. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Her hair was so blonde it was almost silver. Her tiny body reminded me of a pixie. Her face, delicate with small features, made her blue eyes seem larger and almost disproportioned. But it worked, making her even more desirable. I’d felt her as I flew nearer to the claiming field. The pull toward this one human woman. My mind zeroed in on hers. It was always like that. One stood out… one chosen for me. I couldn’t stop it any more than I could stop my heart from beating. Though I tried. I swore I wouldn’t show at that field, wouldn’t claim my bride.

But loneliness drew me there, to her. Gods, she wasn’t my true mate, and I would mourn her someday like I mourned the others who came before her. The thought was a crushing weight. I flew through my kingdom high above the trees, mountains, and lakes. I spotted a herd of bison. Their hide was tough, but tongue, heart, and liver succulent. A gurgle of fire exploded with my laugh. I didn’t know what the female would do when I brought one of these hulking beasts into my eating tower, but I wanted to find out.

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*Interview with D'Elen McClain*

Thank you for taking the time for this interview! I thought we could start with...when did you now that you wanted to be a writer?
I wrote scary short stories as a child. I wanted to be the female Poe, then as I grew older the female Stephen King. Funny because I write far from scary now and rarely read anything more than light intrigue. I do have my own pet cemetery I'd like to write about someday though.

Favorite books and/or authors that inspire you?
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jude Deveraux started me on my love for romance books. I continue to reread several of my favorites by them. The books are timeless in my opinion. Outside of romance, Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan series was an absolute favorite. Today there are too many books and authors to name.

Favorite place to write?
A dear friend left me his reading chair when he died. It sits in my office and is the perfect place to sit with my laptop. I know he's smiling down and taking responsibility for every book I write.

Of all the various genres, why paranormal fiction?
I'm a paranormal junkie especially if combined with romance. I loved P.N. Elrod's Vampire Files and many others that were more in the fantasy genre. Truthfully, I write non-fiction humor under the pen name Suzie Ivy and erotic romance as Holly S. Roberts. I like covering all bases but paranormal is the better place for my imagination.

What was the last book you read and enjoyed?
I'm just finishing Dark Genesis by A.D. Koboah and loving it. I don't like to read the current genre I'm writing and a friend suggested this one. It's paranormal but set in the south during the time of slavery.

Of all your books, including Dragons Don't Cry, what character(s) was your favorite to write? Which one(s) was the most difficult?
Dragons Don't Cry is the easiest book I've ever written. I hate to admit I wrote the first draft in fifteen days (16-hour days). But, I'm currently working on Fang Chronicles: Ivan and the female lead, Talya, feels unloved, and has burned many bridges in her past. I love her troubled mind and her quest to find a mate.

Fang Chronicles: Dmitri, the main character was another. He was difficult not a good guy/vampire but he changed, and I had to show parts of his journey. I loved him in the end but he was hard to write and I struggled quite a bit.

Five words that describes Dragons Don't Cry.
Emotional, funny, sad, exciting, love

Is Dragons Don't Cry a standalone novel or the first in a series?
It's the first in a series but a complete story. You'll et a little more of these two in the next book Dragons Don't Love but the main focus of book two is Laryn who you meet in the first book.

What are you currently working on? What can we anticipate in the near future?
I've started Dragons Don't Love and Fang Chronicles: Dmitri but I'm on deadline for the next Holly S. Roberts book so I keep pulling myself back to where I need to be. I've also started another standalone book that's playing games in my head This is how I write but thankfully they all get finished eventually.

Who gets to read your draft(s) first?
My editor Michelle Kowalski poor woman. She makes me look much better to the rest of my editing team.

If you had to write in a different genre, what would it be?
Besides what I've mentioned, I want to write a thriller under a man's name. I retired this past year from law enforcement and worked many large cases as a detective. I think I could fool the hardcore "only men write good thrillers" crowd and someday I'll try.

I have a lot of friends who are aspiring writers, what advice would you give them?
Write the first book, novella, or short story from beginning to end and then start on the next one. When that one's one, write another. I'm always writing a new book, editing an older one, and formatting a completed edition. Think of writing as a job and work! It's a wonderful career and for me it's not a hobby.
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**About the Author**
D'Elen McClain is a writer, author, word warrior! She owned an independent bookstore for many years in my 20's and 30's. So it should be obvious, SHE LOVES BOOKS. Fiction or non-fiction it doesn't matter. She hated self-help but then found Og Mandino. She hated French history and the game of chess and then discovered The Eight by Katherine Neville. She has stopped limiting herself to what she thinks she likes.

That brings her to paranormal fiction. It's a passion of hers. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, angels and demons, she has read it all. She has wanted to write a vampire/werewolf novel for a long time. Taking a break from another series (aka Suzie Ivy The Bad Luck Detective), D'elen decided to write the story screaming inside her head. The Fang Chronicles Book I almost wrote itself. No research or trying to remember a specific conversation, all she needed to do was keep the names straight.

Stay connected with D'Elen McClain
  

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***The Giveaway***





Blog Tour Organized by

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Celestra Forever After by Addison Moore

We are so excited! Today is the day that Celestra Forever After by Addison Moore is available now!

Genre:
New Adult Paranormal Romance
Publish Date:
March 31, 2014

Warning:
Intended for readers 17+
(A brand new series. You do not have to have read the Celestra Series to read this series). 

Synopsis:
18 year-old Skyla Messenger has it all. She's the overseer of all 5 angelic factions, a freshman at Host University, and she's doing it all with the boy of her dreams by her side. 

A horrible truth is discovered that changes the landscape of everything she thought she knew. Nothing is as it seems. 

When Skyla enters into a covenant with wickedness it changes the destiny of both the Nephilim and humankind forever. 

Just when she thought it was over,
she discovers,
it hasn't even begun.


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*Celestra Forever After Snippet*
(Skyla with Marshall)

“Know this.” Marshall leans in until I can feel his breath warming me. “The fruit of the rose family is often lethal. It will certainly do this world in.”
“You’re talking in riddles.” My gaze falls out the window at that horrific dragon painted across the building with his terrifying grimace. His ruby eyes shimmer right through the fog with an eerie incandescent glow.
“Does the dragon fit into this—Omen?” I test his name on my lips. I’ve hated it all along. It feels evil, nefarious.
“Indeed he does.” Marshall shoulders up next to me and fixes his gaze on the creature’s awful countenance. He hones in his hatred and glares at the monstrosity as if it were a person.
The earth quakes, a roar erupts from the sky as the belly of those tar-colored clouds rip open and a deluge of rain falls over the campus as if God himself were trying to soothe an open wound.

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**About the Author**
Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journel bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too  late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

Stay connected with Addison Moore
   

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***The Giveaway***




Release Day Blitz Organized by

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Throttle Me by Chelle Bliss

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Welcome to the Release Day Blitz for Throttle Me, the first book in the Men of Inked series, by Chelle Bliss!

Genre:
New Adult/Adult Romance
Series:
Men of Inked Series
Publish Date:
March 31, 2014

Synopsis:
Suzy’s a control freak and has her life mapped out - work hard, find a man with a stable job, and live happily ever after. She’s content with the status quo, but her plan comes to a screeching halt when he enters her life and turns it upside down. City gave up on love when his heart was crushed in college, preferring to be the typical bachelor. He spends his nights hopping from one bed to another and his days working at his family tattoo shop, Inked. A chance encounter on a dark road makes him question what he had sworn off forever – a relationship. A night of passion and lust causes them to question everything. Is City the knight in shining armor to the damsel in distress? Can their relationship survive when a fantasy falls apart and a secret comes out that changes everything?


 


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**About the Author**
Chelle Bliss has dedicated her life to education. She has been a teacher for over ten years and holds a Master of Education degree. Teaching has given her a creative outlet, but she yearned for something more. Writing has given her that, no longer about just creativity, it became a journey.

Chelle is an avid reader; consuming contemporary romance, dark reads, young adult, and all things erotica. Chelle wanted to create a book filled with characters that readers could relate to with real world problems and matching wallets.

Chelle loves to travel and her favorite cities are New Orleans and Paris. She currently lives in Florida with her amazing boyfriend. He's showed her the love and passion that she has poured onto the page.

Stay connected with Chelle Bliss
     

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Books by Chelle Bliss